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Robert W. Baker Achievement Award

In 1965, following retirement from the U.S.
Army, Robert W. "Bob" Baker accepted a position with the Brunswick County
Regional Planning and Development Corporation. Later he helped organize the
Southside Planning District Commission and served as the Executive Director
from 1969 until his death in 1976. Bob Baker was an outstanding leader, strong
in character and wisdom, with a dynamic personality filled with an abundance of
compassion for his fellowman, and sincere dedication to his work. He recognized
the pressing need for regional planning and cooperation and he specialized in
initiating regional projects. Bob was in the forefront in organizing the
Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions and served as President
in the early years. Following his death, the Robert W. Baker Achievement Award
was established in the late seventies.

The Robert W. Baker Achievement Award is
intended to recognize persons who have been involved directly in planning
district commission activities and who have contributed significantly to
promoting regional planning and development in Virginia while impacting more
than one PDC. Such persons may include governors, state agency heads, mayors,
chairs, state division directors, etc. Past Recipients

Gordon N. Dixon Award

The Gordon N. Dixon Award is
intended to recognize an executive director or a VAPDC commissioner,but a PDC commissioner as well, who has provided
leadership and made outstanding contributions to promoting the
concept of regionalism in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For16 years, Gordon N.Dixon was truly an outstanding example of a regionalleaderwhile serving as Executive Director for two planning
district commissions-the New River Valley and the Fifth
Planning District Commission. He sincerely believed in regional planning and
communitydevelopment.Following his death in 1987, the VAPDC
established the Dixon Award to recognize executive directors and commissioners
who display exceptional dedication to the regional planning vision for Virginia. Past Recipients

Robert M. deVoursney Best Practices Award

The Robert
M. deVoursney Best Practices Award recognizes a PDC or a regional
organization that has initiated or heightened an existing innovative regional
approach or activity that has contributed significantly to regional
cooperation. The award recognizes innovation, excellence, commitment and/or
service to the advancement of regional planning and multijurisdictional
cooperation. This award is intended to showcase the creative work and/or the
ability to leverage resources and services of our PDC’s. Projects must have
been in place and operational for at least 12 months and have measurable
benefits. Past recipients include the following:

2010 Cumberland
Plateau Company (CPC Optinet) In 2004, the Cumberland Plateau Company embarked
upon a program to provide internet services to all businesses and industries in
its four-county area. Within the next five years, the company was able to
secure $19 million dollars in grants from EDA and the VTC to provide a
broadband trunk line throughout the four counties.

2009 Northern Virginia
Regional Commission

Legislator of the Year Award

VAPDC’s Legislator of the Year Award is
intended to recognize a State Legislator who has provided leadership or has
contributed significantly to promoting regional planning and the Planning
District Commissions in Virginia. Past recipients include the following: